When the oldest son of Antiochus III
succeeded his father (187 BCE), his freedom to maneuver was hampered by
the heavy annual tribute Rome had imposed. He eventually persuaded
the Romans to release his younger brother, Antiochus
IV, but only by
sending his own heir, Demetrius, to Rome as a hostage. In an unsuccessful
attempt to raise funds he sent his prime minister, Heliodorus, to Jerusalem
to confiscate the temple's treasures, but was killed by Heliodorus when he
returned.

Silver tetradrachma minted at Seleucia has
portrait of
Seleucus III on its face & nude seated figure of
Apollo, with bow & arrow flanked by the inscription [B]asileos Seleukou
["of king Seleucus"] on the reverse.